From blending the Italian words “cosa” and “anti,” meaning “against things,” Paolo Soleri named both his architectural design studio and the nonprofit foundation he founded “Cosanti,” as a deliberate critique of the rampant culture of consumerism he saw taking hold in the world. Cosanti – whether as a place of imaginative, provocative architectural experiments or a foundation exploring a built world in balance with the environment – both embody a radically different perspective and aesthetic.
Founded in 1970, Arcosanti is a project whose mission is to inspire a reimagined urbanism that builds resilient and equitable communities sustainably integrated with the natural world. At Arcosanti, this mission is pursued through experimentation and application of the principles of arcology, a combination of the words architecture and ecology that offers an alternative to urban sprawl.
Located in the heart of central Arizona, Arcosanti is only an hour’s drive from Phoenix, Flagstaff, Prescott, and Sedona. Visit in person almost every day of the year, enjoying guided tours (led by a resident), hiking trails, and a café. Overnight stays are possible in a few suites and guestrooms.
Bronze & ceramic windbells, bowls, and planters are produced on site and are sold in the gift shop to support Arcosanti.
Credit: Overview from museum website